Question for monotwine RE: Red-billed Quelea

[dano_68]

Hi monotwine!

I was thinking about the Red-Billed Quelea (Quelea quelea).

For those that don’t know, this little bird is part of the Weaver family (Ploceidae) and is considered by scientist to be the most abundant bird in the world with an estimated population of 1.5 billion!

red-billed_quelea_flocking.jpg

Red-billed Quelea are about 12.5 cm long and 15 to 20 g weight, so similar to other better know weavers in Australia.

Quelea_quelea_Male.jpg

Quelea_quelea_Female.jpg

Anyway, I was hoping Monotwine being a denizen of South Africa (the home of the Red-billed Quelea) could tell us if this bird is kept in aviculture in South Africa? I would image that it is considered too common and gets the same treatment and dollar value our own little Zebra Finch gets here.

The ironic thing is if this bird, being the MOST ABUNDANT in the world happened to show up in Australia in an aviary, say 1 or 2 pairs, then I am sure they would be worth their weight in gold – literally! I would image a pair of these birds would be in the $3000+ bracket.

Funny isn’t it. I am sure if it is kept in African aviaries it is probably only worth a few dollars, but in Australia they would be thousands.

I suppose it is the same as Aussie parrots like the Galah selling for $30,000+ in America. It never ceases to amaze me about the demand and supply trends that influence our bird trends.

Anyway, your input would be most appreciated!

Cheers

Danny

[jusdeb]

Hand reared galahs go for $130 here ...amazing price difference.

[arthur]

These birds were available here in the early/ mid '70's . . . well a handful of them anyway; along with about the same number of a colour-morph of the Red-billed called Russ' Weaver

They were probably 'old age pensioners' who 'went on holiday' from aviary to aviary, because they never bred despite their awesome reputation for 'fecundity'. Apparently they need the social pressure of the flock situation to stimulate breeding . . . or maybe they were just past it

A mate of mine had one pair of each, and while he was a pretty dab hand at breeding, he couldn't get them to reproduce . .and they continued on their round Australia trip

Can't recall the price . . was probably 'up there', but can't remember it as astronomical

These weavers are currently 'prohibited birds' in Queensland . . and probably so in most other states as well but back in the 'good old days' prior to aviary registration (1970??) nobody cared much about the status of foreign birds . . . and the smoke went up the chimney just the same

[monotwine]

Honestly I don't know. I know the name and assume I have seen is some place but that is out my scope.

Perhaps EOrix would know? I think he has seen more of SA aviculture than me.

[E Orix]

Monique
You will just have to study your Weavers better.
The Quelea is a very common Weaver,with the massive numbers further north than Jo/Burg
From Cape Town to Kruger we frequently saw small flocks of around 10+ to 50 but no where near the millions
that cause massive damage.
Because of the dams and wet areas there are the Yellow Weaver species (Masked, Speakled Back etc)
buiding their hanging nests and are very common as well.Once in the dryer areas they are no where near as common and the Queleas take over.
As Arthur mentioned I was given a pair of Queleas and an odd male Russes Weaver back in the early 70's but even then they were
well past their use by date. I still have the slides of them some where.
Today there still may be a few tucked away you wouldn't know

[dano_68]

These birds were available here in the early/ mid '70's . . .

Thanks Arthur, that's really interesting info. I had no idea they were kept in Aus. What a shame they never made it to today...

[monotwine]

LOL EOrix, I got a lovely BIG bird book for Christmas so I can study up on all the species and subspecies of African birds! Lots of weavers in there.

Did you by any chance see any Quelea in aviculture on your tours through SA breeders? I thought them being fairly close to PEST status that they probably would not, but I have not travelled that extensively to others setup to see for myself.

[E Orix]

Yes
Ernst had some odd ones but I doubt that they would breed as they were in his mixed aviary for viewing mainly.
Also the collection we saw south of Port Elizabeth had a number in his big flight

[Jayburd]

MMMM quealas MMM